Naturally there's an ebb of emotion throughout The Metro Theatre. It's been emanating from the stage since Far Away Stables screamed their way through the opening act with their repertoire of beat-heavy alternative rock.
Far Away Stables - image © Kim Rose
But it's not until Dashboard Confessional takes the mic that the full brunt of emotions starts crashing in. No more a crowd of emo kids thick on eyeliner and kitted in black from head to toe.
Now, what responds to each and every word from lead singer (and practically Dashboard Confessional itself) Chris Carrabba is a sea of nostalgia eager to sing-along and request their favourite track.
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The band may have been relatively quiet over the past few years, but their dedication to the genre has not. Carrabba proud to advertise lead guitarist Armon Jay's solo venture as well as bassist Scott Shoenbeck's band The Promise Ring, proclaiming that if we hadn't listened to it yet we are "not emo-ing right".
Tonight however, we are. Tonight, we're screaming at the top of our lungs to Dashboard's greatest hits as they come out one by one.
Dashboard Confessional - image © Kim Rose
Starting with 'Don't Want', 'The Sharp Hint Of New Tears', 'Several Ways To Die Trying' and 'Stolen' it isn't long before the band starts going off-script sneaking in more than a few cheeky covers like Justin Bieber's 'Love Yourself' at the end of a riveting 'Remember To Breathe' and Coldplay's 'Fix You' to cap off 'Screaming Infidelities'.
A cover of Corey Branan's 'Skateland South' adds a touch of country quirk and charm to an acoustic set that runs long and memorable, filled with favourites like 'The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most', 'Age Six Racer', 'Heart Beat Here' and then some.
Dashboard Confessional - image © Kim Rose
But it's those moments when Carrabba hoists his voice to the sky and holds on till kingdom come that pricks the skin and sends the crowd into a frenzy. It's a moment of yearning, of anguish, of passion and of honesty that has made the band such an institution to the alternative-emo scene. Hurt and pain, love and joy culminate as the punters cling to Carrabba as he pours his heart out on a note.
It all seems too soon then when breakout single 'Vindicated' comes crashing in to close the set. Lucky for us, this time we don't have to wait five minutes, let alone five years, for the band to regroup, returning within minutes with 'Hands Down' and sending us off in one blistering tide of emotions.
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